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Guidelines For Free Stuff 4 U

Our platform is dedicated to providing a space for users to give away their old items for free, promoting a sense of community and environmental responsibility. To ensure the safety and well-being of our users, we have established guidelines that outline items that are not allowed on our platform.

Creating a Post

  1. Login or Create an Account: If you’re new to Free Stuff 4 U, you’ll need to create an account. If you’re a returning user, please log in.
  2. Navigate to Posts: Once you’re logged in, navigate to the top right of your screen. Click on the menu, then select ‘Posts’.
  3. Create a Post: You’ll then see a green button labelled ‘Create a Post’. Click on this to begin listing your item.
  4. Required Fields: When creating a post, there are several fields you’ll need to complete. These are:
    • Condition: Let users know the condition of your item (new, used, etc.).
    • Category: This helps users find your item when they’re browsing. Choose the category that best fits your item.
    • Title: Provide a clear and concise title that accurately describes your item.
    • Description: In this section, provide more detailed information about your item. Be as thorough as possible to give potential collectors a good understanding of what they’re inquiring about.
  5. Desired Fields: While not required, including the following information can greatly improve the chances of your item being claimed:
    • Size: If applicable, provide the dimensions of your item.
    • Weight: If known, provide the weight of your item.
    • Images: Pictures help give potential collectors a better idea of what your item looks like.
  6. Additional Option – Allow Courier Collection: If you’re comfortable with a courier picking up your item, tick the ‘Allow Courier Collection’ box. This enables an option for the user collecting the item to book a pickup with a courier, which can be particularly useful if they can’t travel to your local area.

Post Statuses

To help streamline the process of giving and receiving items on Free Stuff 4 U, we’ve established a set of post statuses. These statuses allow you to control who can enquire about your item and at what point, and give you the power to manage the lifecycle of your posts. Below, you’ll find guidelines for using each post status:

  1. Complete: This status should be used once your item has been successfully picked up by the user. Marking the post as ‘Complete’ will stop any further enquiries about the item and indicate to other users that the item is no longer available.
  2. Promise: Use this status to mark an item as ‘promised’ to a specific user. This will prevent other users from enquiring about the item in the interim. It’s important to note that ‘Promise’ does not mean that the post is completed. The item could still become available again if the promised user drops out. Think of this as a temporary hold.
  3. Relist: If a user has dropped out and can no longer pick up the item, you can use the ‘Relist’ status. This changes the status from ‘Promised’ back to ‘Available’, allowing other users to contact you about the item again.
  4. Delete: This status should be used if the post is no longer needed, for example, if you no longer have the item or if the post was created in error. Please use this status responsibly and remember to only post items that you genuinely intend to give away.

By properly utilising these post statuses, you can ensure that your interactions on Free Stuff 4 U are effective and efficient. This helps create a more reliable and trustworthy community for all users.

Post Community Location

When creating a post for an item you wish to give away, it’s important that the location is accurately set. This ensures that potential collectors know where they need to go to collect the item. Here are the steps to change your default post location:

Changing Your Default Post Location:

  1. Login: Start by logging into your Free Stuff 4 U account.
  2. Navigate to Profile Settings: Once you’re logged in, look for the menu situated at the top right of your screen and select ‘Profile Settings’.
  3. Select Default Location: Find the ‘Post Community Location’ field within your profile settings. From the dropdown list, choose the location where you will typically be giving away items. This will become the default location for all your future posts.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your posts accurately reflect where your items can be collected from. This makes it easier for users to find and collect items in their local area.

Post Notification Settings

Staying up to date with new posts in your area can make all the difference when it comes to finding items you need on Free Stuff 4 U. Our notification settings allow you to subscribe to up to five locations and receive emails each time a new post goes live in your chosen areas. Here’s how to set up these notifications:

Setting Up Post Notifications:

  1. Login: Start by logging into your Free Stuff 4 U account.
  2. Navigate to Notification Settings: Once you’re logged in, find the menu located at the top right of your screen. Select ‘Notification Settings’ from the dropdown menu.
  3. Subscribe to Locations: Within the notification settings, you’ll find the option to subscribe to notifications from different locations. Click the green ‘Subscribe’ button next to up to five locations where you’re interested in receiving new post notifications.

By following these steps, you’ll receive an email notification each time a new post goes live in any of your chosen locations. This ensures that you’re always aware of the latest items available in your area, giving you the best chance of finding what you need.

Please remember, if you have any issues or need further assistance with notification settings, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our support team.

Arranging Pickup / Collection

As a community built on trust, it’s important to understand how Free Stuff 4 U manages pickups for items listed on our platform. Please note that we are not responsible for arranging pickups. This task is handled by the person who is interested in an item, and the person who is giving the item away. We have provided guidelines for both givers and collectors below.

For Givers:

  1. Post an Item: Begin by listing your item on our platform.
  2. Allow Courier Collection: If you are open to a courier picking up your item, please tick the ‘Allow Courier Collection’ box on the post creation page. We have partnered with some third-party couriers to help with this, though we are not responsible for their actions as they are a separate entity.
  3. User Enquiry: Once a user enquires about your item, engage with them to provide any necessary details and to arrange a pickup.
  4. Arrange Pickup: Discuss and agree on a suitable date, time, and location for pickup. Make sure to only share necessary information. Never share bank details or send money to other users.
  5. Mark Post as Promised: After finalising the pickup details, please edit your post and mark it as promised to let other users know the item is spoken for.
  6. Handover: Once the courier or the interested user arrives, hand them the item.
  7. Mark as Complete: Once the item has been picked up, please mark the post as complete. This helps keep our listings up-to-date and accurate.

For Collectors:

  1. Find a Post: Browse through our platform and find an item that interests you.
  2. Contact the Giver: Contact the user who posted the item to discuss and agree on the pickup details.
  3. Arrange Pickup or Delivery: If the user has enabled the ‘Allow Courier Collection’ option, you may choose to use some of our recommended couriers to arrange a delivery. Note that this will take you to a third-party site, from which we earn a small commission. Responsibility for the delivery lies with the third-party courier, not Free Stuff 4 U.
  4. Collect the Item: Once you’ve agreed on the pickup details, go and collect the item as planned, or await its delivery if you’ve chosen that option.
  5. Express Gratitude: After you’ve collected the item, do remember to say “thank you” to the giver. A bit of gratitude goes a long way in fostering a positive and respectful community!

By following these guidelines, we can ensure that Free Stuff 4 U remains a safe and reliable platform for all users. Happy exchanging!

Please carefully review the following guidelines before posting your items:

Prohibited Items

We do not accept the following items on our platform:

  • Alcohol
  • Tobacco products
  • Firearms or other weapons
  • Items with profanity or sexual content
  • Medications or medical devices
  • Food items
  • Pets or animals
  • Advertisements or promotional materials
  • Drugs
  • Illegal content or items

No Money Exchanges

Our platform is exclusively for giving items away for free. Money is never to be exchanged for items. If you come across any posts or users requesting money, please report them to us immediately. Additionally, never pay individuals for the pickup or delivery of items. We strive to maintain a free and open platform for all users.

Protecting Personal Data

  • You must be aged 18 or over to use this platform.

We encourage you to be cautious when sharing personal information, such as your location or address, with others on the platform. Do not share this information unless it is necessary for someone to pick up an item. We are not responsible for your data and you share it at your own risk.

If you live alone or have concerns about your safety, consider leaving the item in a public place or on the street outside your residence for pickup. This ensures that you can maintain your privacy while still participating in our platform’s community.

Reporting Issues

If you encounter any issues or violations of these guidelines, please report them to us so that we can maintain a safe and positive environment for all users. Your vigilance helps us continue to provide a platform that fosters generosity, kindness, and sustainability.

By adhering to these guidelines, you contribute to a thriving community of individuals who are committed to giving back and supporting one another. Thank you for being a part of our platform and helping to make a positive impact on the environment and our fellow users.

Be Aware of Scams

Like many online platforms, ours can occasionally be targeted by online scammers. These individuals often lure users by offering high-value items and then request payment for courier charges. We employ stringent security measures to catch and remove these scams, but occasionally some might slip through.

While some communities on our platform permit postage of items, it’s crucial to remember that you should never hand over money in advance. We do not endorse or recommend any specific courier service. Therefore, if you come across a message claiming that we do, please treat it as a scam.

Scammers are resourceful and constantly evolve their tactics, so it’s essential to remain vigilant. Here are some signs to watch for:

  • Requests for upfront payment, particularly for courier or postage fees.
  • Offers of unusually high-value items.
  • Pressure to complete transactions quickly.
  • Messages that claim we endorse a specific courier or postage service.

If you fall victim to a scam on our platform, please take the following steps:

  • Report the incident to your local police authority. Online scams are criminal offences and should be treated as such.
  • Notify us immediately. Your reports help us improve our platform’s safety and security measures, and they allow us to take action against the scammer.

We are committed to maintaining the integrity of our platform and the safety of our users. Your cooperation and vigilance are invaluable in helping us achieve this. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Changing Your Password

Ensuring the security of your account is crucial, and changing your password regularly is a good practice. Here are the steps to change your password on our platform:

  1. Login: Begin by logging in to your Free Stuff 4 U account.
  2. Navigate to Profile Settings: Once you’re logged in, find the menu located at the top right of your screen and select ‘Profile Settings’.
  3. Input New Password: Find the field labelled ‘Password’. Input your new password into this field. Make sure to use a strong, unique password to enhance your account security.
  4. Confirm New Password: Enter the same password into the ‘Password Confirmation’ field. This is to ensure there are no typographical errors in your new password.
  5. Save: After you’ve entered and confirmed your new password, remember to click ‘Save’ to ensure the changes are implemented.

Following these steps, you can easily maintain the security of your account. Please make sure to keep your password confidential and remember to update it regularly. If you have any trouble with this process, please do not hesitate to contact our support team.